Cotton-chopper



(No Model.)

B. P. HOPKINS.

GOTTON CHOPPER.

,455. Patented Mar. 9, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F. HOPKINS, OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS.

COTTON-CHOPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 578,455, dated March 9, 1897. Application filed April 24, 1896. Serial No. 588,925. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. Horxms, a citizen of the United States, residing at Huntsville, in the county of \Valker and State of Texas, have in vented certain new and use ful Improvements in Cotton-Choppers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in cotton-choppers, the object of the invention being to simplify and perfect the construction of mechanism of this character; and the invention therefore consists, essentially, in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, substantially as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved cotton-chopper. Fig. 2 is an enlarged crosssectional view of the same with the wheels shown in edge elevation.

' Like letters of reference denote like parts in both figures.

A A denote the parallel horizontal side rails of the main carriage or framework of my improved machine. In these side rails, near the ends thereof, are journaled the transverse axles O O, to the ends of which are attached rigidly the wheels B B. These wheels operate to transport the mechanism over the field and they also operate as drive-wheels to actuate the chopping mechanism. It will be observed that as these wheels rotate the axles O rotate therewith. Any suitable kind of tongue or pole may be employed with the carriage which I have just described and I reserve the liberty of employing such a one as may seem proper. This tongue may be loosely supported upon the forward axle O, as shown at I in Fig. 1.

Midway between the side bars A A is a longitudinal horizontal beam D, which is supported at each end in a non-rotative position upon the said axle 0 between the fixed collars c c, which are pinned to said axles, as shown. That is, the transverse axles O 0 pass through and are journaled in bearings formed in the ends-of beam D, the collars controlling the relative position of said axles to said beam. The beam D is preferably a round shaft and serves as a stationary axle, on which revolves the cylindrical framework carrying the chopping-hoes. This framework consists of the circular end pieces F and the connections F between them, which connections usually consist of pairs of slats f. To these slats the hoes G are attached, as shown. Said hoes may be of any common and ordinary form or they may be of any preferred special form. To the circular end pieces F are secured the beveled gears E, which are situated fast on the axles 0. As the axles O rotate, therefore, the result will be to cause the engaging gears E and H to act upon one another, so as to rotate the hoe carrying framework and thereby drive the hoes so that they will operate to chop the cotton.

Numerous changes may be made in the exact construction and arrangement of the said parts on my machine without departing from my invention and I reserve the liberty of making all such changes as experience may suggest and require.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

With the main frame, of axles journaled therein and rigidly attached to the drive-wheels, a central longitudinal beam having journals formed in the ends thereof for reception of the axles, collars on the axles for controlling lateral movement of the beam, a revolving frame supported loosely on the central beam and carrying the hoes, and suitable gearing connection between said revolving frame and the axles.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. HOPKINS. 

